Kitty Genovese:The Murder, the Bystanders, the Crime That Changed America

Kevin Cook

Cook marks the 50th anniversary of an infamous murder with this compelling true crime book. On March 13, 1964, 27-year-old Kitty Genovese was fatally stabbed outside her apartment building in Queens. 38 witnesses heard her cries for help but chose not to get involved. The ensuing outrage led to the creation of 911, and a social phenomenon called "The Bystander Effect" was coined, meaning that a lone individual is more likely to help someone in trouble than people in groups. Drawing on newly discovered documents and interviews with key figures, Cook argues that the tale of 38 witnesses is a myth--and explains what really happened that morning.